Bristol Palin was riding the mechanical bull at a Hollywood bar in front of a throng of paparazzi…
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Having had an opportunity to view the camera footage of the incident this past Thursday at the Saddle Ranch Bar & Chop House in West Hollywood, and having reflected on the incident over the weekend, I have come to the conclusion that no matter what my feelings are towards Sarah Palin, I should not have expressed them towards her daughter, Bristol Palin.

I am very passionate about politics, and believe in equality for all Americans. I expressed my feelings in an improper manner in the heat of the moment, and allowed my emotions to get the better of me.

My political views are solely mine, and not those of my friends, colleagues or the establishment for which I work. I apologize to them for my poor judgment that night, and to Bristol for any hurt my actions may have caused her. I wish Bristol success with her television show, and much happiness in the future.

Apparently Hanks and his lawyer were getting death threats. He would like to "put the incident behind him." Until he sees how it plays out in Bristol's reality show, at least.

Bristol's producers reiterate that "nobody associated in any way with the production staged this. Nobody would ever place Bristol or her family in such a position." Martyrdom can't be faked! If Bristol had known this was coming, she would have worn an even bigger radiating cross on her sweatshirt, possibly featuring glow-in-the-dark paint. [E!, image via Hollywood.TV]